Infant bib

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a bib, comprising a front portion coupled to a collar and two sleeves; a cup portion coupled to the front portion; and a fastener disposed on at least one of a first shoulder extension and a second shoulder extension, the fastener configured to couple at least one of a first shoulder extension and a second shoulder extension to a portion of the bib.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/620,872, entitled “INFANT BIB,” filed on Jan. 23, 2018,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to bibs, and in particularrelates to bibs having extended collars and/or sleeves.

BACKGROUND

Bibs are commonly used to protect the chest and clothing of infants andadults from foods spills while feeding. Such bibs are typically formedof an absorbent material to ensure maximum food retention so that anyfood that does not make it into the bib wearer's mouth does not land onhis or her lap. However, such materials are capable of absorbing only acertain amount, and may not absorb fast enough, still allowing for somefood to bypass the bib. Furthermore, bibs on the market generally do notprevent food from touching the neck or shoulders of the wearer, causingskin breakouts as well as ruining the neckline and sleeves of thewearer's clothes.

SUMMARY

A bib may comprise a front portion coupled to a collar and two sleeves;a cup portion coupled to the front portion; and a fastener disposed onat least one of a first shoulder extension and a second shoulderextension, the fastener may be configured to couple at least one of afirst shoulder extension and a second shoulder extension to a portion ofthe bib. The collar may comprise an extended collar extending above thefront portion. The cup portion may comprise a front edge. The cupportion may comprise a food-grade material. The front portion maycomprise a water-repellant material. The sleeves may be at least one ofcapped sleeves or three-quarter length sleeves. The bib may furthercomprise an attachment mechanism configured to couple the cup portion tothe front portion. The first shoulder extension and the second shoulderextension may comprise the same length. The first shoulder extension maycomprise a different length than the second shoulder extension. Thefastener may comprise a hook and loop material. The fastener maycomprise a first magnet coupled to the first shoulder extension and asecond magnet coupled to the second shoulder extension, the first magnetand the second magnet comprising oppositely aligning magnetic poles. Thebib may further comprise a securing mechanism, the securing mechanismcomprising a first securing portion disposed on an inner, forward faceof the cup portion and the second securing portion may be disposed on anouter, back face of the cup portion. The first securing portion and thesecond securing portion may be complementary and configured to couplethe inner, forward face of the cup portion to the outer, back face ofthe cup portion.

A method may comprise placing the collar, the sleeves, and the frontportion towards the opening defined by the cup portion; and securing thecollar, the sleeves, and the front portion inside the cup portion with asecuring mechanism. The method further may comprise rolling the collar,the sleeves, and the front portion. The securing may comprise coupling afirst securing portion to a second securing portion. The first securingportion may comprise at least one aperture, and the second securingportion may comprise at least one stud. The first securing portion maybe disposed on an inner, forward face of the cup portion and the secondsecuring portion may be disposed on an outer, back face of the cupportion. The first securing portion may be disposed on an outer, backface of the cup portion, and the second securing portion may be disposedon an inner, forward face of the cup portion.

A bib may comprise two shirt sleeves coupled to a front portion, the twoshirt sleeves configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders, whereinthe two shirt sleeves are capped and the front portion is configured toextend over at least a portion of the wearer's chest. The bib mayfurther comprise a collar coupled to the front portion, the collarconfigured to extend over at least a portion of the wearer's neck. Thebib may further comprise a cup portion coupled to the front portionopposite the collar, wherein the cup portion comprises a lateral widthgreater than a lateral width of the front portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, andconstitute a part of, this specification, illustrate variousembodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1B illustrates a back view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1D illustrates a back view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a back view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an exemplary bib of the presentdisclosure, as may be worn by a wearer;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial side view of an exemplary bib of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of using an exemplary bib of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way ofillustration. While these various embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thedisclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may berealized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, thedetailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustrationonly and not of limitation.

For example, the steps recited in any of the method or processdescriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarilylimited to the order presented. Moreover, any of the functions or stepsmay be outsourced to or performed by one or more third parties.Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, andany reference to more than one component or step may include a singularembodiment or step.

For example, in the context of the present disclosure, devices may findparticular use in connection with bibs. However, various aspects of thedisclosed embodiments may be adapted for use in smocks, aprons, or anywearable product configured to absorb or catch solid or liquid messes.As such, numerous applications of the present disclosure may berealized.

The bib of the present disclosure was created with comfort in mind forthe wearer and easy clean-up for parents and caregivers. In variousembodiments, the bib comprises a high neckline and sleeves so as tocoverage a larger area of the wearer's body and to thereby protect itfrom messy food spills. In various embodiments, the bib comprises a cupportion to catch food that may fall or be dropped from near the wearer'smouth. The cup portion may comprise an oblong bowl-shaped containercoupled to a front portion. The front portion of the bib may refer tothe material configured to generally be disposed adjacent to thewearer's chest. In various embodiments, the front portion is coupled tosleeves, a collar, and a cup portion. In various embodiments, the bibcomprises capped sleeves. As used herein, the term capped sleeves refersto shirt sleeves approximately covering the wearer's deltoid muscles andtapering underneath the arm. In various embodiments, the front portion,collar, and sleeves can be placed and/or rolled into the cup portion tocontain food and/or increase portability before and/or after use.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a bib comprisinga front portion coupled to a collar and two sleeves, a cup portioncoupled to the front portion, and a fastener configured to position thebib around a wearer's neck. The fastener may be disposed at or near theend of one or more shoulder extensions and may be configured to couplingthe collar around a wearer's neck. Shoulder extensions may be configuredto wrap around a wearer's neck such that a fastener is disposed at theback of the wearer's neck or at the side of the wearer's neck. Invarious embodiments, the collar is an extended collar that rises above(when oriented on a wearer's person) the front portion to protect thewearer's neck. The extended collar may comprise a length configured tocover the bottom half of the wearer's neck. The extended collar maycomprise a length configured to cover the wearer's entire neck. However,in various embodiments, the extended collar comprises any suitablelength configured to cover a portion of the wearer's neck.

In various embodiments, the cup portion further comprises a front edge.The front edge may comprise a curved ending or lip of the cup portion.Utensils may be placed in the cup portion and/or be rested on the frontedge. In various embodiments, the cup portion comprises a food-gradematerial. In various embodiments, the front portion comprises awater-repellant material. In various embodiments, the collar is made ofa stretchable material. In various embodiments, two sleeves are cappedsleeves. In various embodiments, the sleeves comprise a length of atleast three-quarter length. As used herein, the term three-quarterlength refers to shirt sleeves extending past the wearer's elbows andending between the wearer's elbow and wrist. In various embodiments, thesleeves comprise full-length sleeves. Full-length sleeves refer to shirtsleeves extending the length of the wearer's shoulders to at or aboutthe wearer's wrists.

With reference to FIGS. 1A through 1D, a bib 100 is disclosed, accordingto various embodiments. The bib 100 may comprise a collar 102, a frontportion 104, a cup portion 106, sleeves 108, shoulder extensions 111,and/or a fastener 110.

The collar 102 of the bib 100 may be made of a stretchable material thatallows for a comfort fit on the neck of the infant. In an exampleembodiment, the collar 102 may comprise a fabric made of nylon. Inanother example embodiment, the collar 102 may comprise a fabric made ofpolyester. In another example embodiment, the collar 102 may comprisespandex. Additionally, in another example embodiment, the collar 102 maycomprise a knit fabric. The collar 102 may comprise a fabric made of anycombination of nylon, polyester, spandex, and/or knit material desired.It should be appreciated that the collar 102 may comprise any other kindof fabric that is capable of some stretch to allow for comfortable wearby a wearer with any neck size.

In various embodiments, the collar 102 is configured to sit against thewearer's neck without irritating or abrading the wearer's skin. Invarious embodiments, the collar 102 wraps around the full circumferenceof the wearer's neck. However, in various embodiments, the collar 102wraps only partially around the front and/or sides of the wearer's neck.In various embodiments, the collar 102 is configured as a physicalbarrier between the wearer's neck and foreign substances such as food,drink, or other liquids or solids that could soil the wearer's skinand/or clothing. In various embodiments, the collar 102 is configured torepel and/or absorb liquids. In various embodiments, the collar 102 isconfigured to wick moisture away from the wearer's skin.

The front portion 104 of the bib 100 may be made of a water-repellantmaterial, a water-resistant material, or a material that has been madeto be water-repellant or water-resistant through any method known in theart. In an example embodiment, the front portion 104 may be made ofnylon fabric. In another example embodiment, the front portion 104 maybe made of polyester fabric. In an additional example embodiment, thefront portion 104 may be made of a knit fabric. In some exampleembodiments, the front portion 104 may be made of a laminated cottonfabric. However, in various embodiments, the front portion 104 may bemade of any combination of two or more fabrics that, when combined, arewater-repellant, water-resistant, heat-resistant, or can be made to bewater-repellant, water-resistant, or heat-resistant through any methodknown in the art.

The cup portion 106 of the bib 100 may be formed from a food-gradequality plastic, rubber, or polymer. In an example embodiment, the cupportion 106 may be made of 100% food-grade silicone. In variousembodiments the cup portion 106 may be free of latex, polyvinyl chloride(“PVC”), and/or bisphenol A (“BPA”). However, it should be appreciatedthat the cup portion 106 may comprise any plastic, rubber, or polymercapable of being formed into a cup shape.

In various embodiments, the cup portion 106 is configured to receivefood, drink, or other liquids or solids that are dropped on or near thewearer's face, neck, and/or chest. In various embodiments, the cupportion 106 comprises a concave shape having an upward-facing openingsuch that dropped substances are readily received and retained in thecup portion 106. However, the cup portion 106 may comprise any shapesuitable for use in the bib 100.

In various embodiments, the cup portion 106 comprises a lateral widthgreater than a lateral width of the front portion 104. As used herein,the term “lateral width” refers to a length generally perpendicular tothe medial line of a wearer's body extending generally from left toright or from right to left. In various embodiments, greater lateralwidth of the cup portion 106 increases the area and/or size of theopening defined by the cup portion 106. Greater lateral width of the cupportion may improve the bib's suitability for catching dropped orfalling substances. In various embodiments, front portion 104 comprisesa lateral width smaller than a lateral width of the cup portion 106.Smaller lateral width of the front portion 104 relative to the cupportion 106 may allow and/or encourage a wearer's arms to rest and/or beheld above the cup portion 106 without disruption and/or displacement ofthe bib 100.

In various embodiments, the cup portion 106 further comprises a frontedge 107. The front edge 107 may be configured to receive the ends ofutensils, such that utensil handles rest on the front edge 107 whenutensils are placed in the cup portion 106. In various embodiments, thefront edge 107 comprises a shape and/or surface texture configured togenerate sufficient friction between a utensil or other object and thefront edge 107 so as to prevent the utensils from sliding down orfalling into the cup portion 106.

In various embodiments, the cup portion 106 is attached to the frontportion 104 by an attachment mechanism 112. Attachment mechanism 112 maybe configured to securely couple the cup portion 106 to the frontportion 104. In various embodiments, the attachment mechanism 112permanently couples the cup portion 106 to the front portion 104. Invarious embodiments, the attachment mechanism 112 removably couples thecup portion 106 to the front portion 104. Removal of the front portion104 from the cup portion 106 may allow separate laundering and/orwashing of various portions of the bib 100. The attachment mechanism 112may comprise stitching, hook and loop attachment, adhesive, snaps, ties,buckles, buttons, toggles, magnets, and/or any other mechanism suitablefor use in the bib 100.

In various embodiments and with momentary reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B,the attachment mechanism comprises one or more first attachments 212disposed along a bottom edge of a forward face of the front portion 204.In various embodiments, the attachment mechanism comprises one or moresecond attachments 213 disposed along a top edge of an inner, back faceof the cup portion 206. In various embodiments, the first attachments212 may be positionally aligned with, and complementary to, the secondattachments 213 such that coupling of the first attachments 212 to thesecond attachments 213 couples the front portion 204 to the cup portion206. In various embodiments, the first attachments 212 and the secondattachments 213 comprise snaps. In various embodiments, at least one ofthe first attachments 212 and the second attachments 213 comprises areceiving aperture and at least one of the first attachments 212 and thesecond attachments 213 comprises a stud, boss, rivet, nub, pin, and/orthe like.

With reference again to FIGS. 1A through 1D, in various embodiments, thebib 100 further comprises sleeves 108. The sleeves 108 serve to protectmore of the wearer's body and/or clothing from potential food spills andmesses. The sleeves 108 may be any length desired. For example, thesleeves 108 may be capped sleeves. In another example embodiment, thesleeves 108 may be three-quarter length sleeves. In additional exampleembodiments, the sleeves 108 may be full-length sleeves. However, invarious embodiments, the sleeves 108 may be any length suitable for usein the bib 100. The sleeves 108 of the bib 100 may be made of the samematerial that comprises the front portion 104 or any other suitablematerial. The sleeves 108 may be attached to the front portion 104 byany method known in the art for attaching sleeves to a garment. Forexample, the sleeves 108 may be attached to the front portion 104 bystitching, hook and loop attachment, adhesive, one or more snaps, ties,buckles, toggles, and/or buttons, and/or any other mechanism suitablefor use in bib 100.

The bib 100 may further comprise at least one shoulder extension 111.The shoulder extensions 111 may be coupled to the front portion 104 andmay extend laterally outward from the collar 102 and/or the frontportion 104. Shoulder extensions 111 may be configured to rest on eachof the wearer's shoulders and wrap at least partially around the back ofthe wearer's neck. Shoulder extensions 111 may be configured to wraparound a wearer's neck and overlap so as to place and optimally positionthe bib 100 on the wearer. In various embodiments, and with momentaryreference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, shoulder extensions 211 may comprisegenerally equal lengths such that the shoulder extensions 211 couple,connect, and/or overlap at the back of the wearer's neck at or near thewearer's medial line. In various embodiments, a first shoulder extensioncomprises a length different than a second should extension such thatthe shoulder extensions couple, connect, and/or overlap to the right orleft of the wearer's medial line. As used herein, the medial line refersto a wearer's central axis, dividing the body into equal right and lefthalves. In various embodiments, extensions of different lengths may beconfigured to allow a third party to ergonomically position the bibwhile facing the wearer and/or to see the fastener 110 while positioningthe bib 100. In various embodiments, the bib comprises a single shoulderextension having a length suitable to wrap around a wearer's neck and atleast partially overlap the front portion of the bib.

In various embodiments and with reference again to FIGS. 1A through 1D,the bib 100 may further comprise a fastener 110 disposed on at least oneshoulder extension 111. The fastener 110 may be configured to connectthe bib 100 to itself around the neck of the wearer. In an exampleembodiment, the fastener may be part of the collar and used to connecttwo ends of the collar to one another around the wearer's neck. Inanother example embodiment, the fastener may be part of the frontportion that extends around behind the wearer, used to connectextensions of the front portion around the wearer's neck. It should beappreciated that the fastener 110 may be located at any point along theshoulder extensions 111, collar 102, the front portion 104, or the cupportion 106, as long as it secures the bib around the wearer's body.

The fastener 110 may be a hook and loop type fastener (for example,Velcro®) with hooks on one side and loops on the other side thatinterlock when contacting one another. In another example embodiment,the fastener 110 may be a buckle. In another example embodiment, thefastener 110 may be magnets. Additionally, in an example embodiment, thefastener 110 may be a button. The fastener 110 may also be a togglefastener, hook and eye, adhesive, and/or snap. It should be appreciatedthat the fastener 110 may be any type of fastener known in the art toconnect two pieces together.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a bib 200is configured to capture and contain solid and liquid messes after thebib 200 is removed. In various embodiments, shoulder extensions 211 maybe coupled to a front portion 204 and may extend laterally outward fromthe front portion 204. The front portion 204 of the bib 200 may berolled downward towards the cup portion 206. The sleeves 208 and/orcollar 202 may also be rolled downward towards the cup portion 206. Therolled front portion 204, sleeves 208, and/or collar 202 may be placedand/or tucked into the cup portion 206, such that the bib 200 comprisesa collapsed configuration, wherein the surfaces of the bib 200 exposedto solid and liquid messes during use are no longer outwardly-exposed.The collapsed configuration may allow users of bib 200 to carry and/ortransport the bib 200 after use without touching and/or transferringsolid and liquid messes to other surfaces.

In various embodiments, the bib 200 may be secured in the collapsedconfiguration by a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism maycomprise hook and loop portions, adhesive, snaps, ties, buckles,buttons, toggles, magnets, and/or any other mechanism suitable forsecuring the bib 200 in the collapsed configuration. In variousembodiments, one or more first securing portions 214 may be disposed onan inner, forward face of the cup portion 106. In various embodiments,one or more second securing portions 215 may be disposed on an outer,back face of the cup portion 106. In various embodiments, the firstsecuring portions 214 may be positionally aligned with, andcomplementary to, the second securing portions 215 such that coupling ofthe first securing portions 214 to the second securing portions 215encloses the front portion 204, sleeves 208, and/or collar 202 withinthe cup portion 206. In various embodiments, at least one of the firstsecuring portions 214 and the second securing portions 215 comprises areceiving aperture and at least one of the first securing portions 214and the second securing portions 215 comprises a stud configured to beplaced in the receiving aperture. In various embodiments, the studcomprises a flange at its forward end such that, once the stud is placedin the receiving aperture, it resists falling out of the receivingaperture.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 3, the bib 300 may beworn by a wearer. In various embodiments, the sleeves 308 are capped andare made of material that allows for a flexible range of motion for thewearer's arms and shoulders. In various embodiments, the collar 302 sitsapproximately midway up the wearer's neck. In various embodiments, theattachment mechanism 312 removably couples the cup portion 306 to thefront portion 304. Removal of the front portion 304 from the cup portion306 may allow separate laundering and/or washing of various portions ofthe bib 300. The attachment mechanism 312 may comprise stitching, hookand loop attachment, adhesive, snaps, ties, buckles, buttons, toggles,and/or any other mechanism suitable for use in the bib 300. In variousembodiments, the cup portion 306 sits approximately midway down thewearer's chest. Additionally, in an example embodiment, the front edge307 of the cup portion 306 extends the width between the sleeves 308 tocatch spills.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 4, a side view of abib 400 comprises a front portion 404 coupled to a sleeve 408. A collar402 is coupled to the front portion 404. In various embodiments, thecollar 402 length may comprise a short, medium or longer length,depending on the protection sought by the wearer, parent, or caregiver.In various embodiments, the collar 402 is comprised of heat-resistantmaterial to protect the wearer from hot soups or other liquids uponspillage. In various embodiments, the collar 402 is comprised ofsupportive material to assist the wearer in holding up his or her neck.

In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 5, the bib may bestored by a user in a collapsed configuration. A method of storing thebib may comprise rolling the collar, the sleeves, and the front portion(Step 502). The method comprises placing and/or tucking at least one ofthe collar, the sleeves, and the front portion in the opening defined bythe cup portion (Step 504). The method further comprises securing thecollar, the sleeves, and the front portion inside the cup portion withat least one securing mechanism (Step 506). The securing mechanism maycomprise a first securing portion and a second securing portion. Thefirst securing portion may be disposed on the inner, forward face of thecup portion. The second securing portion may be disposed on an outer,back face of the cup portion. At least one securing portion may comprisean aperture defined by and disposed on a face of the cup portion. Atleast one securing portion may comprise a stud and/or nub. At least onesecuring portion may be disposed on the inner, forward face of the cupportion, and at least one securing portion may be disposed on the outer,back face of the cup portion. In various embodiments, the first securingportion and the second securing portion are complementary and configuredto couple the outer, back face of the cup portion to the inner, forwardface of the cup portion. In various embodiments, the securing mechanismcomprises one or more apertures and studs. In various embodiments, thesecuring mechanism comprises at least one of snaps, hook and eye, hookand loop, buttons, adhesive, magnets, toggles, or buckles. However, anysuitable form of securing mechanism may be utilized to enclose thecontents of the cup portion for the bib's ease of use and travel.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bib, comprising: a front portion coupled to a collar and two sleeves; a cup portion coupled to the front portion; and a fastener disposed on at least one of a first shoulder extension and a second shoulder extension, the fastener configured to couple at least one of a first shoulder extension and a second shoulder extension to a portion of the bib.
 2. The bib of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises an extended collar extending above the front portion.
 3. The bib of claim 1, wherein the cup portion comprises a front edge.
 4. The bib of claim 1, wherein the cup portion comprises a food-grade material.
 5. The bib of claim 1, wherein the front portion comprises a water-repellant material.
 6. The bib of claim 1, wherein the sleeves are at least one of capped sleeves or three-quarter length sleeves.
 7. The bib of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to couple the cup portion to the front portion.
 8. The bib of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder extension and the second shoulder extension comprise the same length.
 9. The bib of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder extension comprises a different length than the second shoulder extension.
 10. The bib of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop material.
 11. The bib of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises first magnet coupled to the first should extension and a second magnet coupled to the second shoulder extension, the first magnet and the second magnet comprising oppositely aligning magnetic poles.
 12. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism, the securing mechanism comprising a first securing portion disposed on an inner, forward face of the cup portion and the second securing portion is disposed on an outer, back face of the cup portion.
 13. The bib of claim 12, wherein the first securing portion and the second securing portion are complementary and configured to couple the inner, forward face of the cup portion to the outer, back face of the cup portion.
 14. A method comprising: placing the collar, the sleeves, and the front portion towards the opening defined by the cup portion; and securing the collar, the sleeves, and the front portion inside the cup portion with a securing mechanism.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising rolling the collar, the sleeves, and the front portion.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the securing comprises coupling a first securing portion to a second securing portion.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first securing portion comprises at least one aperture, and the second securing portion comprises at least one stud.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first securing portion is disposed on an inner, forward face of the cup portion and the second securing portion is disposed on an outer, back face of the cup portion.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first securing portion is disposed on an outer, back face of the cup portion, and the second securing portion is disposed on an inner, forward face of the cup portion.
 20. A bib, comprising: two shirt sleeves coupled to a front portion, the two shirt sleeves configured to extend over a wearer's shoulders, wherein the two shirt sleeves are capped and the front portion is configured to extend over at least a portion of the wearer's chest; a collar coupled to the front portion, the collar configured to extend over at least a portion of the wearer's neck; and a cup portion coupled to the front portion opposite the collar, wherein the cup portion comprises a lateral width greater than a lateral width of the front portion. 